Twenty first-term governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general election.
The governors, under the umbrella of the Progressives Governors Forum, announced their support for Tinubu during a closed-door meeting held on Tuesday at the Kebbi State Government House, Birnin Kebbi, hosted by Governor Nasir Idris.
The endorsement marks the latest political alignment ahead of the 2027 election as the ruling party begins consolidating support around Tinubu’s administration amid ongoing debates over economic reforms, insecurity and governance challenges.
Reading the communiqué after the meeting, Idris said the governors’ decision was based on what they described as the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government, stressing that their campaign would focus on performance rather than sentiment.
«“We recognise that our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be matched by performance in our states. We will not merely ask Nigerians to support the President; we will give them reasons to believe by working harder to deliver visible results.”»
He said the governors had committed to improving agriculture and food security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, security, energy access, investment promotion, job creation and transparent governance.
Idris acknowledged the economic challenges confronting Nigerians, noting that families, workers, farmers, traders and vulnerable citizens had experienced the impact of ongoing reforms.
He, however, said the country was undergoing a necessary adjustment process after years of fiscal, security and development challenges.
«“We are convinced that the reforms being undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are necessary to stabilise the economy, restore public finances, attract investment, strengthen national productivity, enhance security and secure a more sustainable future for Nigerians.”»
According to the governor, the governors’ support was anchored on the need for policy continuity, stronger federal-state cooperation and a development strategy that encourages production, enterprise, agriculture and innovation.
«“Accordingly, we declare our total support for President Tinubu and for the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond 2027.”»
The forum also pledged to strengthen efforts against insecurity, including kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, attacks on schools and other criminal activities threatening communities.
Idris said the governors would deepen collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and school authorities to improve protection of citizens and restore public confidence.
The governors further urged the Federal Government to expand interventions aimed at reducing hardship, particularly in food production, transportation, small businesses, rural livelihoods, energy and social protection.
«“We resolved that our re-election efforts will be anchored on performance, not propaganda; service, not sentiment; unity, not division; and results, not noise.”»
Four of the 20 first-term APC governors were absent from the meeting, including Umar Bago of Niger State, Dikko Radda of Katsina State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Those in attendance included governors from Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states.
